Coding and Marking in Automotive Industry 

Automotive Parts Marking solution

A modern vehicle contains thousands of individual components, each of which may need a specific part number. The cost to a vehicle manufacturer of dealing with the consequences of a defective part can be huge, considering not just recall costs, but possible fines, loss of share value and damage to reputation. Linx direct part marking solutions, particularly 2D codes, can combine with vision systems to deliver robust and reliable traceability.

In addition, the need for durable, clear, and accurate codes is a given, whether for monitoring components through the assembly process, for stock control, anti-counterfeiting, or to meet customer expectations.

Linx offers permanent marking and coding solutions for metal and plastic parts such as car key fobs. The process of marking and coding these parts will be under control, safety, and traceability. These marks can vary from 2D codes, QR codes, or data matrix which contains more information regarding the part. 

Components Packaging Printing

Aside from vehicle components, the automotive industry often requires coding and marking solutions for other materials such as cardboard boxes for component packaging. These outer cases usually require text and graphics which are easy to see. Linx Large Character Printers provide high-resolution printing and are easy to set up and adjust, offering a cost-effective alternative to pre-printed boxes or labels. 

Watch this video to find out more:

Anti-Counterfeiting Marking

What is counterfeiting? This is a crime involving the theft of someone’s trademark. The use of trademarks is to help consumers identify a business’s product. A trademark is commonly a word, phrase, or symbol which identifies a particular good or service sold in commerce. 

An industry with a potential risk of counterfeiting is automotive and vehicle parts manufacturing. However, with proper coding, vehicular products will be assured of high-quality codes for authenticity.

Printer Types for Automotive Industry

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printers

Perhaps the most cost-effective choice for automotive marking and coding, CIJ maintains an important place as it can print on almost any substrate. A wide range of inks are available to use with CIJ printers including coloured inks to ensure legibility on any colour substrate, UV-readable inks for anti-counterfeiting or water-removable inks for internal traceability, adding yet another dimension to the coding process.

• Robust print heads can withstand knocks on the production line
• The robust touchscreen can be operated even when wearing gloves
• IP65-rated printers to keep dust and airborne contaminates from the printer

Laser coders

Laser coders – used throughout the automotive industry – with the widest range of configurations and can deliver ultra-reliable, permanent codes onto a wide range of materials at high line speeds, including rubber and plastic. 2D codes required for automotive traceability are effectively delivered by laser coders.

• Colour changes with different frequencies on any surface
• Able to replace permanent ink with removable ink for internal traceability purposes. 
• The use of UV ink for anti-counterfeiting purposes.

Large Character Marking (LCM) printers

Our Large Character Marking (LCM) printers are mostly used to print onto secondary packaging. With the ability to print clear text and graphics onto porous substrates, they are a cost-effective alternative to labels and pre-printed boxes.

• Ideal for automotive parts packaging printing
• High resolution codes printing 
• Print text, logo and graphics up to 75mm high
• Perfect for printing product identification information on cardboard boxes